The cat is a great sleeper. Every corner of the house is good for a nap. Sleep for the cat is a primary need. Sleeping brings with it a whole range of short- and long-term benefits.
The cat is the mammal that gets the most sleep, as a matter of fact he can sleep up to 17 hours a day. Sleeping for cats is essential, as it allows them to lead a healthy and balanced life. The length of time a cat sleeps depends on many factors such as age, diet, environment and climate and has several advantages.
Factors influencing cat sleep
A cat’s sleep is divided into stages, ranging from drowsiness to deep sleep. Drowsiness lasts between fifteen and thirty minutes, while real sleep lasts only five minutes per cycle. The deep sleep phases are few and far between. Cats tend to sleep more when they are puppies and old. As a young cat, they need energy to grow and develop, and as an older cat, energy is used much more quickly and must be replenished. The quantity and quality of sleep also depend on the diet, which must be varied and balanced. Furthermore, in winter when the climate is colder, felines tend to sleep longer. Domestic cats, that are used to being indoors, take more naps than cats that are used to spending a lot of time outdoors.
Why does the cat sleep so much?
Cats sleep so much to regain energy, as they are predatory animals, despite their sweet appearance. During hunting (even if in the form of a game), the cat is on alert and adrenalin levels are so high that he uses all its energy up. Hence the need for a regenerating nap and the necessity to have a comfortable cushion to relax on, like the Scott model by Ferplast, double face in plaid and velvet pattern, padded, comfortable and machine washable. Or the Relax line cushions, in cotton, perfect both in summer and winter, with soft padding.
We must also make sure that we place our cat’s cushion away from draughts and heat sources and that it has enough space to move around and find his preferred position.
The benefits of sleep for your cat
Sleep is important for your cat as it promotes balanced muscular-skeletal, mental and cerebral development, allows the body to function properly and eliminates stress and tiredness. Calmness and tranquillity are essential for your kitten to grow well. Furthermore, during deep sleep, cats review and memorise the most important information they have learnt during the day. Finally, sleep makes the cat more docile and sociable.
Sleep has a positive effect on your cat’s behaviour and on the quality of life in general. It is therefore important never to disturb your cat while he is sleeping. Waking up in the middle of the night can cancel out all the benefits of a good night’s sleep.